TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Total streamflow across the
Rappahannock River
was last observed at
1,124
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
2,229
acre-ft of water today; about 20%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
5,686 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2014-05-01 when daily discharge volume was observed at
66,200 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg
reporting a streamflow rate of 919 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Rappahannock River At Remington
with a gauge stage of 3.65 ft.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Rappahannock River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 301 ft, the
Rappahannock River At Remington.
The Rappahannock River is a 195-mile river in Virginia that flows through the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. It was an important transportation route in colonial times and played a significant role in the Civil War. The river's headwaters are in the Blue Ridge Mountains and it empties into the Chesapeake Bay. The Rappahannock River is used for drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power, and is home to several reservoirs and dams. The major reservoirs include Lake Brittle, Lake Pelham, and Abel Lake. The river is also popular for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming, and supports a diverse range of aquatic life. The Rappahannock River is a vital part of Virginia's history, economy, and natural environment.
| Last Updated | 2024-12-17 |
| Discharge Volume | 2,229 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
1,124.0 cfs
+284.0 cfs (+33.81%) |
| Percent of Normal | 19.77% |
| Maximum |
66,200.0 cfs
2014-05-01 |
| Seasonal Avg | 5,686 cfs |
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rappahannock River At Remington
USGS 01664000 |
464 cfs | 3.65 ft | 76.27 | |||||
|
Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg
USGS 01668000 |
919 cfs | 2.59 ft | 10.83 |
History of the River
The Rappahannock River is a river in eastern Virginia, in the United States, approximately 195 miles (314 km) in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west where it rises, across the Piedmont to the Fall Line, and onward through the coastal plain to flow into the Chesapeake Bay, south of the Potomac River.
An important river in American history, the Rappahannock was long an area of occupation by indigenous peoples. During the colonial era, early settlements in the Virginia Colony were formed along the river. It was at the center of a major theater of battle in the American Civil War, where tens of thousands of troops fought against each other. Some 10,000 African-American slaves escaped across the river to Union lines and freedom, after the first Battle of Fredericksburg. Due to the river's significance as an obstacle to north-south movements, it effectively functioned as the boundary of the eastern theater of the war, between the "North" (the Union) and the "South" (the Confederate States of America).
The river drains an area of 2,848 square miles (7,380 km2), approximately 6% of Virginia. Much of the watershed is rural and forested, but development in it has increased since the late 20th century with the southward expansion of the Washington, D.C. suburbs.